Shoop de dupe, part 2
Recommendations from a human woman
Actually Good Things is a Friday-morning newsletter authored by a commerce writer who loves Fridays and mornings.
This week—while saying, “Siri, play You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love (the New Order-coded “maggots for brains” track is my fave)—I’m compiling more product dupes I’ve discovered recently.
I realize “dupe” is a polarizing word. I’m not necessarily implying that one brand copied the other—just that the lower-priced option is a reasonable alternative.
With that said, here are actually good things that are sufficiently similar to their higher-end counterparts.*
Supergoop! vs. e.l.f. silicone-based sunscreen
Supergoop!’s Unseen Sunscreen is an incredible product, especially for folks who shy away from SPF because they don’t like the feel. The silicone base keeps it totally sheer with a “slip” consistency that goes on smooth and makes a stellar makeup base. It’s almost $40, though.
In 2023, e.l.f. launched an under-$15 option with a pretty similar ingredients list. It doubles as a makeup primer but is also lovely on its own.
Men (my husband, for one) tend to like this type of sunscreen.
Paula’s Choice vs. The Inkey List ectoin serum
Ectoin is a deeply hydrating, cell-protecting molecule. It’s great when you want to plump your skin for makeup prep.
Paula’s Choice makes an effective ectoin serum (in an unaesthetic container, which, if you ask me, is how you know a product means business).
The Inkey List’s version is also nice and less than half the price.
Andie vs. Quince one-piece
Modest yet not dorky, this flattering, grown-woman swimsuit is essentially the same from Andie and Quince.
Can’t tell the difference? Me neither. Might as well go with Quince ‘cause it’s less than half the price.
Zella vs. Uniqlo pocket shorts
I love my Zella pocketed biker shorts for summer walks. $60 isn’t that crazy, considering they last forever.
But Uniqlo has a more than sufficient version for $30.
Jenni Kayne vs. Quince summer cardigan
Summer isn’t known as sweater season. However, if you need a lightweight, breezy layer in the morning, while outside after sunset, or indoors in frigid air conditioning, an off-white cotton cardigan is the way to go.
Jenni Kayne, queen of knitwear, is great if you can swing the **cough-cough** $300 price tag.
And, surprise-surprise: Quince has one for around $50.
Vitamin A vs. Aritzia straw hat
Did you hear? Scarecrow hats are in for summer (except I appear to be the only one calling them this).
Nonetheless, I’m into it. Premium swimwear brand Vitamin A makes a nice semi-unstructured one, but it’s over $100.
I actually like Aritzia’s raffia hat better. It’s slightly floppier with a more rounded dome and—more to the point—a mid-range price tag.
Cheaper still, this Amazon one. I’d remove the rope tie, but do you.
Victoria Beckham vs. Smashbox skinny contour stick
The right cool-toned contour can be hard to find, let alone in the right size and shape for precision application.
I’ve used Victoria Beckham’s perfectly named Stylus (in the shade travertine) for a few years. It’s pristine.
Smashbox recently launched a similar product at a more accessible price. The fair shade is perfectly cool, and there are more medium and dark shades than VBB’s.
*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What I’ve written lately:
The Daily Beast | The Best Anti-Chafing Products for Friction-Free Relief
What I’m reading lately:
Whistler, a novel by Ann Patchett
New York Magazine | What If It All Came Out?
Bloomberg | Whole Foods CEO Wants to Put a Banana in Your Amazon Box
The Atlantic | Don’t Even Try to Play This Album in the Background
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